San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI), a subsidiary of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC), has inaugurated its Saribuhay sa Dampalit project in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos, Bulacan.

In a statement, SMC said this pioneering initiative marks the launch of the Philippines’ first Biodiversity Offset Program (BOP) — part of the company's nature-based solutions to building its New Manila International Airport project (NMAI) in Bulacan.

It aims to balance development efforts with environmental preservation, support local livelihoods and address flooding issues in Bulacan's flood-prone areas.

The pilot BOP site in Pamarawan covers 40 hectares with plans to expand to 800 hectares of offset sites across various areas. 

"The Saribuhay sa Dampalit project is an integrative approach to development that respects and enhances the natural environment alongside our infrastructure objectives,” said SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang. 

He added that “we firmly believe that progress and nature can co-exist, benefiting both the ecosystem and the local community. We thank everyone involved - from our partners in government, environmental groups and local community members for helping make this possible.”

Adhering to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) environment and social standards, the project has provided a rich feeding ground to the visiting migratory birds.

These birds have been in record number this time-- proof that the Offset Site constructed by SMAI has successfully provided sufficient food for the shorebirds.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga noted that this was the first and the largest scale biodiversity offset project in the country. 

She stressed the importance of embracing the mitigation hierarchy for net positive infrastructure development, highlighting its importance in building inclusive and resilient communities while protecting biodiversity for future generations.

SMAI's efforts include a range of scientifically grounded measures to ensure the newly created habitats meet the specific needs of the wildlife they aim to protect. 

More importantly, the BOP project has engaged local residents affected by the NMIA project, providing employment and raising awareness about the importance of preserving migratory shorebirds.

SMAI Project Director Cecile L. Ang said, "by involving local residents in our efforts, we're not just building infrastructure, we are cultivating a community that values and actively contributes to environmental preservation.”

Ang is optimistic that the project will extend beyond wildlife protection, potentially turning the area into a prime location for bird-watching, boosting tourism, and creating even more opportunities for local communities.